Automatic valve control for hard and soft water systems.



G. E. ANDERSON. AUTOMATIQVALVE CONTROL FOR HARD AND- SOFT WATER SYSTEMS.

' APPLICATION HLEDMAY e. 1918.

.1 ,290,037 Patented Jan. 7, 191 9;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

$4; ATTORNEYS G. E. ANDERSON.

AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL FOR HARD AND SOFT WATER SYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1918.

1,290,037. Patented Jam-7,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- IN VENTOR. .&,0/a MW 44; ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

enonen E. ANDERSON, or DAYTON, OHIO.

. AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL FOR HARD AND SOFT-WATER SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7,1919.

Applicationfiled May 6, 1918. Serial No. 282,846.

To allwhom it may cgncern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Dayton, inthe countyof Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Valve Controls for Hard'and Soft Water Systems, of which the following is a specifithat tank has been supplied, the valve will.

be turned to shunt the flow of water from the pump to the other tank when the level of the water in it becomes lower than that in the first tank.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a second valve for operation by the actuating means for the first named valve, .to connect the suction pump with the cistern or soft Water supply when the soft Water tank is being filled, and with the well or hard water supply when the hard water tank is being supplied.

The preferred form of embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a top plan 0 view, partly broken away, of my improved valve operating means. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view thereof, partly in section. And Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation of my improved water supply system.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

In a detailed description of the preferred form of embodiment of my invention, the

' numeral 1 designates a soft water storage tank and 2 a hard water storage tank. These tanks may be placed on the basement .fioor, or at a higher level if desired At 'its lower end the tank 1 receives a p1pe 3 through which it is adapted to recelve soft .pi e 5.

water from the top end of a cylinder 4. The

other top end of said cylinder communicates w1th the lower end of the tank 2 through a (See Fig. 4.)

, ovable in the cylinder 4 between the points of connection of the pipes 3 and 5 therewith, is a plunger 6 to which a rod 7 is fixedly secured. One end of this rod loosely extends through a stuffing box 8 on one head of said cylinder, while the other end of said rod loosely passes through a stufling box 9 on its other head. Each end of the rod 7 is threaded to receive the looped end of a bowed valve-actuating member 10 'to' be hereinafter described. (See Figs. 1

and 2.) One end of the member 10 is secured to the rod 7 between a fixed collar 11 and a nut 12, while its other end is secured to the rod 7 between two nuts 13 13.

The pipe 5 communicates with the cylin der 4 through a tubular cross member 14 preferably integral with the top of said cylinder and communicating therewith through a neck portion 15. (See Fig. 3.) Secured to the other end of the tubular cross member 14 is a valve housing 16 for a valve 17 preferably of the three-way type. A similar tubular transverse member 18 is provided on the top portion ofthe other end of the cylinder 4 to receive the pipe 3, the other end of said transverse member communieating with the valve housing 16 through I an elbow 19, pipe 20, union 21 and pipe 22. A pipe line 24 conducts water discharged from a suction pump 25, preferably of the electrically propelled type, to the'housing 16. (See Fig. 4.)

The plunger 6 is adapted to be moved from one end of the cylinder 4 to the other by the difference in pressure between the water in the tank 1 and that in the tank 2. For example, if the level of the soft water in the tank 1 falls below that of the hard water in the tank 2, the plunger 6 will be moved by the difference in pressure of the water in said tanks, toward the cross member 18 in the cylinder 4, and toward the cross member 14 when the level of the hard water in the tank 2 falls below the level of the soft water in the tank 1.

To automatically establish communication between the soft water tank 1 or the hard water tank 2 with the pump 25, to supply with water that tank in which the level of the water is lower than that in the other,

communicates with the cross member 14, the

the following means are provided for .connecting the member 10 with the valve 17, to shunt the flow of water from the pump 25 to that end of the cylinder 4 which communicates with the tank having the lower water level. The valve 17 is secured to the shaft 26 which extends across the cylinder 4, into a valve housing 27 similar to the housing 16, and in which there is secured to said shaft a valve 28 preferably similar to the valve 17, whose purpose will be later described. Fixedly secured to the middle portion of the shaft 26 is a lever arm 29 whose outer end carries a transverse pin 30. The inner end of the pin 30 is preferably threaded to receive a nut 31 which is adapted to draw a fixed nut 32 on said rod firmly against the outer end of the arm 29. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

. Fixedly secured to the member 10 is an outwardly projecting piece 33 having a forked end 34 that loosely receives the pin 30 which has provided on its outer end a flange 35 to maintain it within the forked end of said piece 33 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The parts just described are so. disposed that when the plunger 6 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the forked piece 33 will have drawn the arm- 29, and through it turned the valve 17, to a position whereby water will flow through the latter into the pipe 22, and through the latter and its connections, into the tubular cross member 18. Since the plunger 6 cbstructsthe flow of the water to the end of the cylinder 4 that incoming'water will pass through the opposite end of said cylinder into the outlet end of the cross member 18 that is connected to the pipe 3, through which it will enter the tank 1.

When the level of the water in the tank 2.fa1ls below that in the tank 1, the diifen.

member 10 in the direction in which itis moving, whereupon the forked piece 33 will throw the outer end of thearm 29 bey'ond'the valve housing 16 to a point where it will have turned the valve 17 to a position to shunt the flow of water from the- 5 for delivery by the latter to the tank 2.

In order to prevent the valve arm,- 29

This spring 38 assists in preventing the valve 17 from stopping at any place except 1n one of its extreme positions.

For. the purpose of automatically connect-- ing the pump 25 with the cistern or soft water supply when ,the soft water tank 1 1s belng filled, or with the well or hard water supply when the hard water tank 2 is being supplied, the following means are provided: Preferably extending beneath the her 14, and preferably integral with said cylinder 4 in alinement with the cross memcylinder, but not communicating therewith,

is a tubular member 40, one end of which is connected to a pipe 41 which communicates with a well or other source of hard water supply (not shown). (See Figs. 3

and 4.) Into the other side of the valve housing 27 there extends a pipe 42 that'is connected by a union 43 to a pipe 44 which is connected by an elbow 45 to a tubular member 46. The latter is preferably integral, with, and extends transversely be: neath the cylinder 4 in alinement with the tubular member 18, but does not'communicate with the interior of said cylinder. This tubular member 46 is connected to a pipe 47 which leads to a cistern or other source of soft water supply (not shown). The

lower end of the valve housing 27 is com I nected to a pipe 48 that leads to the suction pump 25. I

The three-way valve 28 is so mounted on the shaft 26, that when the valve 17 has a position which establishes communication between the discharge pipe 24 from the pump 25 and the pipe 22 and its connections with the soft water tank 1, the pipe 47 leading to the cistern will be in communication with the pipe 48 leading to the pump 25, to permit the latter to pump soft water into the tank 1. Conversely, when the threeway valve 17 has a position which establishes communication between the discharge pipe 24 from the pump 25 with the cross member 14 and its connections with the hard water tank 2, the valve 28 will have been turned by the shaft 26 to a position to place the pipe 41 leading to the well, in

communication with'th'e pipe 48 leading tothe pump, to permit the latter to pump hard water into the tank 2. It will thus be seen that when the common shaft 26 is turned by the plunger 6 through the member 10 and other connections hereinbefore decommunication between, the pump 25 and the tank having the lower water level, and the second to place in communication with said pump, the source of supply containing the kind of water used in the tank having the lower water level.

The pump 25 is preferably of the electrically-propelled type, and may be located in close proximity to, or at a distance away from, the cylinder 4. The soft water supply may be secured from the tank 1 through a pipe 49, while the hard water supply may be secured from the tank 2 through a pipe. 50.

I do not wish to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changes or modifications may be madetherein within the. scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a water supply system of the type described, the combination with two storage tanks, of a cylinder with one end of which one tank is in communication and with whose other end the other tank communi cates, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the poin'ts of communication of said tanks therewith, and driven by a difference in pressure between the water in one tank and that in the other, means for delivering water to said cylinder on either side of said plunger, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said delivering means, and a device connected to said plunger for operating said valve, whereby, when the plunger is moved by the greater pressure of the water in one tankdue to a lower level of water in the other, the valve will be actuated by the moving plunger to shunt the water to that end of the cylinder which communicates with the'tank having the lower level of water, to deliver water thereto. 1

' 2. In a water supply system of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder with one end of which the hard water tank communicates and with whose other end the soft water tank is in communication, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the points of communication of the hard and soft water tanks therewith, and driven by a difference in pressure between the water in one tank and that in the other, a water delivery conduit communicating with each end of said cylinder, a water supply pipe, a three-way valve disposed between the water supply pipe and each water deliveryconduit, and a device connected to said plungerfor turning said valve, whereby, when the plunger is moved by the greater water pressure in one tank due to a lower level of water inthe other, the valve will be turned by the moving plunger to establish.

communication between the water supply pipe and the water. delivery conduit connected to the end of the cylinder which communicates with the tank having the lowerthe water in one tank and that in the other,

a water delivery conduit communicating with each end of said cylinder, a valve housing to which each water delivery conduit is connected, a three-way valve in said housing, a water supply pipe entering said housing, a rod secured to said plunger, loosely extending through each end of said cylinder, a member to which each end of said rod is connected, an arm for turning said valve, and means connecting said member and arm, whereby, when the plunger is moved by the greater pressure of the water in one tank I due to a lower level of water in the other, the valve will be turned by the moving plunger to establish communication between the water supply pipe and the Water delivery conduit connected to that end of the cylinder which communicates with the tank havin the lower water level, to deliver water thereto.

4. In a Water supply system of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, a cylinder with one end of which the hard water tank communicates and with whose other end the soft water tank is in communication, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the points of communication of the hard and soft water tanks therewith, and driven by a difference in pressure between the Water in one tank and that in the other, a water delivery conduit communicating with each end of said cylinder, a valve housing to which each water delivery conduit is connected, a three-way valve in said housing, a Water supply pipe entering said housing, a rod secured to said plunger, loosely extending through each end of said cylinder, a bow-shaped member connected at each end to an end of said rod, an arm for turning said valve, a transverse pin carried by the outer end of said arm, and a projecting piece on said bow-shaped member having a forked end that straddles said pin, whereby, when the plunger is moved by the greater pressure of the water in one tank due to a lower level of Water in the other, the valve will be turned by the moving plunger to establish communication between the water supply pipe and the water delivery conduit connected to that end of the cylinder which communicates with the tank having the between the water in one tank and that in lower water level, to deliver water thereto.

5. In a water supply-system of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder with one end of Which the hard water tank communicates and with whose other end the soft Water tank is in communication, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the points of communication of the hard and soft water tanks there with, and driven by a difference in pressure between the water in one tank and that in the other, means for delivering water to said cylinder on either side of said plunger, a three-Way valve for controlling theflow of water through said delivering means, means connected to said plunger for turning said valve fromone extreme position to the other to shunt the flow of water to either end of said cylinder, and resilient means for holding said valve in either of its extreme positions during the shunting operation.

, 6. In a Water supply system of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder with one end of which the hard water tank communicates and with whose other end the soft water'tank is in communication, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the points of communlcation of the hard and soft water tanks there'- with, and driven by a difference in pressure the other, a pump, means for delivering water from said pump to'either end of said cylinder, a valve interposed between said pump and the water delivery means to shunt 7 said water to that end of the cylinder which is in communication with the tank having the lower level of water, a conduit leading from said pump to a source of hard water, and a conduit leading from said pump to a source of soft water, a valve for establishing communication between the said pump and either source of water supply, and means operatively connecting said plunger and valves, whereby, when the plunger is moved by the greater pressure of the water in one tank due to a' lower level of water in the other, the first valve will be actuated by the moving plunger to shunt the water to that end of the cylinder which communicates with the tank having the lower level of water, and the second valve will be actuated to establish communication between the pump and the source of water supply containing the kind of water used in the tank having the lower water level, to deliver that kind of water thereto.

7. In a water supply system of the typevv hard water tank communicates and with.

whose other end the soft water tank is in with, and driven by a difierence in pressure between the water in one tank and that in the other, a pump, means for delivering water from said pump to either end of said cylinder, a three-wayvalveinterposed between said pump and the water delivery means to shunt said water to that end of the cylinder which communicates with the tank having the lower water level, a conduit leading from said pump to a source of hard water, and a conduit leading from said pump to a source of soft water, a three-way valve for establishing communication between said pump nd either source of water supply, a shaft supported by said cylinder, on which said valves are fixedly secured, an arm on said shaft, and a device operatively connecting said plunger and arm, whereby, when the plunger is moved by a greater pressure of the water in one tank due to a lower level of water in the other, said valves will be simultaneously turned, the first to establish communication between said pump and the end of the cylinder communicating with the tank having the lower level of water, and the second valve to place said pump in communication with the source of water supply containing the kind of water used in the tank having the lower water level.

8. In a water supply ystem of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder with one end of which the hard water tank communicates and with whose other end the soft water tank is in communication, a plunger movable in said cylinder supply is in independent communication, a

conduit extending from said second valve housing to said pump, a three-way valve in each housing, a transverse shaft supported by said cylinder, on which each valve is fixedly secured. an arm on said shaft, a rod secured to said plunger, whose ends loosely pa s through sa d cylinder. a member to means for opefatively connecting said member to said arm, whereby, when the plunger is moved by a greater pressure of the water in one tank due to a lower level of water in the other. said valves will be simultaneously turned, the first valveto establish communiwhich each end of said rod is connected, and

cation between said pump and the end of the cylinder connected with the tank having the lower level of water, and the second valve to place said pump in communication with the source of water supply containing the kind of water used in the tank having the lower water level, to deliver that kind of water thereto.

9. In a water supply system of the type described, thecombination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder, a transverse communicating tubular member mounted on each end of said cylinder, a pipe leading from one end of one tubular. member to the hard water tank, and a pipe leading from the corresponding end of the other tubular member to the soft water tank, a valve housing with which the other corresponding ends of said tubular members are in communication, a three-way valve in said housing, means for delivering water to said valve housing, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the vertical planes of said transverse members, and driven by a difference in pressure between the water in one tank and that in the other, and means for operatively connecting said plunger and valve, whereby, when the plungeris moved by a greater pressure of water in one tank due to a lower level of water in the other, said valve will be turned to shunt the flow of water to that tubular member which communicates through its respective cylinder end withthe tank having the lower water level.

10. In a water supply system of the type described, the combination with a storage tank for hard water and one for soft water, of a cylinder, a transverse communicating tubular member on each top end of said eylinder and a transverse non-communicating tubular member on each lower end of said cylinder, a pipe leading from one end of a water supply,

soft water tank, a valve housing with which the other corresponding ends of the top tubular members communicate, a three-way valve in said housing, a pump in communication with said housing, a second valve housing in communication with the corresponding ends of the lower tubular members, aid second valve housing being also in communication with said pump, one end of one lower transverse tubular member being in communication with a source of hard while the corresponding end of the other lower tubular member is in communication with a source of soft water supply, a three-way valve in the second valve housing, a shaft transversely supported by said cylinder, on which said valves are mounted, an arm for rocking said shaft, a plunger movable in said cylinder between the vertical planes of said transverse tubular members, and means operatively connecting said plunger and said arm, whereby, when the plunger is moved by a greater pressure' of the water in one tank due to a lower level of water in the other, said valves will be simultaneously turned, the first valve to establish communication between said pump and the end of the cylinder communicating with the tank having the lower water level, and the second valve to place said pump in communication with the source of water supply containing the kind of water used in the tank having the lower water level, to deliver that kind of water thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of May, 1918.

GEORGE E. ANDERSON.

Witness HowARo S. SMITH. 

